Minimally Invasive Colon and Rectal Surgery

At Weill Cornell Medicine, we understand that it can be challenging or scary to undergo colon or rectal surgery. While not every patient is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery, our compassionate team of nurses, surgeons and staff will always prioritize your comfort and well-being throughout your care.

Why Choose Weill Cornell Medicine?

Proven leadership and exemplary results: Our surgeons are leaders in minimally invasive surgical treatments and have pioneered the use of advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery for colorectal cancer. Specifically, our surgeons have the longest experience treating rectal cancer robotically than any other center in the country.

Read the leading research about robotic surgery for rectal cancer by our surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine.

World-class care from leaders in minimally invasive techniques: Weill Cornell Medicine’s colon and rectal surgeons are nationally and internationally recognized for their pioneering efforts and extensive experience in minimally invasive surgery and state-of-the-art laparoscopic technologies.

Our surgeons use minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat:

● Colon cancer

● Rectal cancer

● Rectal prolapse, which occurs when part of the large intestine (the rectum) stretches and protrudes from the anus. Surgery puts the rectum back in place.

● Pelvic floor disorders, such as vaginal prolapse

● Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis and ulcerative colitis

Minimally Invasive Colon and Rectal Surgery Options

At Weill Cornell Medicine, our team offers the most advanced and comprehensive minimally invasive colon and rectal surgery options available.

Laparoscopic colon surgery or colectomy: Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique in which small tubes with a light and camera attached are inserted into small incisions (cut) in the abdomen. The camera projects a high-definition image of the body onto a screen in the operating room. This image guides the surgeon to perform the specific surgery needed, without the need for a large incision.

Laparoscopic rectal prolapse repair: This procedure uses several small incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon inserts special surgical tools and a tiny camera through the abdominal incisions to repair the rectal prolapse.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) and transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS): Both TEM and TAMIS are techniques that allow surgeons to remove polyps and early-stage cancerous tumors in the rectum using a port and microscopic lens placed in the rectum. This technology preserves a patient’s anal sphincter muscle control.

Robotic-assisted surgery: Robotic surgery, or robot-assisted surgery, involves the use of surgeon-guided, robotic arms that allow the surgeon to perform complex procedures with more precision and control than is possible with conventional techniques. With its enhanced visualization, it is most commonly used for tumors located in the sigmoid (the lower portion of the large bowel) and rectum.